Rock Mountain Sporting Clays, Springville, Pa. hosted the 2017 Buck and Tom Shoot on a hot September 24th afternoon. The event was sponsored by the Susquehanna branch of the Quality Deer Management Association and the Wilson F. Moore Memorial Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Susquehanna branch of Quality Deer Management Association President Mike Koneski holding the Perpetual Trophy and Shoot Winner Shaun Zaleski holding the 2017 Blue Stone Buck and Tom Shoot Trophy

Shaun Zaleski of Tunkhannock was the overall winner breaking 95 out of 100 birds. Shaun was awarded the 2017 Bluestone Buck and Tom Shoot Trophy. His name will be added to the Perpetual Buck and Tom Shoot Trophy, which is kept at the Rock Mt. Sporting Clays facility.

Pictured (l-r) are: Team Winners Dwayne Perdue, Phil Jones, Shane Kocher and Shaun Zaleski with their medals.

The overall winning team was the “Target Assassin’s” with shooters Dwayne Perdue from Bath, Pa., Phil Jones from Scranton, Shane Kocher from Bangor, Pa and Shaun Zaleski of Tunkhannock. This team was awarded team medals which were a new addition to the awards. The Target Assassins easily outscored the teams from QDMA and NWTF.

Al Hickok, a Board of Director member of both local wildlife organizations, noted that “The shoot was fun when you are shooting with friends. The weather was great, especially if you like it hot. The facility is well run and the money raised will be put to good use by both QDMA and NWTF.” Hickok also noted, “I’ll be back next year, expect to shoot better and hope my teammates on the NWTF team, (all who are closer to 70 than 60) will be back to.” The two local wildlife conservation organizations hosted a cookout after the shoot. Mike Koneski manned the grill and produced some fine eats.

The Susquehanna County Conservation District is looking for new and novel ways to inform the public of the importance of conservation and the environment. Susquehanna County Conservation District is accepting applications for environmental projects. Awarded projects will be funded between $500.00 - $5,000.00. The funding is reimbursement based and projects must be completed by June 30th 2018.

Pictured (l-r) are: Friends of Salt Springs who placed interpretive signs near garden areas- Mary Butler, Jim Kessler, Kelly Finan, Concetta Schirra, Robert Fearnley, Joe Toman.

We have worked with local state parks and organizations to provide funding for various types of educational projects and programs such as pollinator gardens, rain gardens, educational kiosks and signage. We encourage the proper use and education of best management practices (BMPs), stream projects, preservation & reclamation of surface and subsurface waters and water supplies, environmental programs including trails, parks and recreation, open space, floodplain management, agricultural preservation and storm water systems, including construction, reconstruction, maintenance and repair.

Applications can be found at www.suscondistrict.org or by calling 570-278-4600 x3050. Applications are due by November 8th 2017 by 4:30PM. You may email your application or drop off a hard copy at 88 Chenango St., Montrose PA 18801.

Little Free Libraries are a growing global phenomenon. The small, front‐yard book exchanges number 36,000 around the world in 70 countries. Now, a new Little Free Library is available in Lawton/Rush Township, PA.

United Way of Susquehanna County along with its community partners, Southwestern Energy Company, Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center and the Boy Scouts of America, Baden- Powell Council has joined the movement to share books, bring people together and create communities of readers. A ribbon cutting ceremony for a third Little Free Library, which is now located at the Charlie Pierson Memorial Park (Rush Ball Complex) at the intersection of Rte. 267 and Rte. 706, was held on Thursday, October 5th, 2017. Special thanks to Mr. John Pierson, whose father and grandfather built the park and to Rush Township Supervisor, Mr. KevinStockholm for allowing us to install the Little Free Library at this facility.

Pictured (L-R) are: Timmy Jennings, Southwestern Energy; Nathaniel Darrow and Cameron Wasko, SCCTC Students in Carpentry and Cabinetmaking; Gary Fenton, SCCTC Worksite Coordinator; Dr. Alice Davis, Executive Director, SCCTC; Kurt Brunges, Southwestern Energy; Joseph Wright, SCCTC Adult Student in Carpentry and Cabinetmaking; Kim Merithew, United Way of Susquehnna County.

“Our Little Free Library doesn’t just belong to us, it belongs to the whole community,” says Kim Merithew, Director of Corporate and Community Giving. This initiative aligns with our goal of Helping Children Do Well focusing on programs that support academic readiness, mentorship, family stability and childhood wellness. “It’s our hope that this Little Free Library will bring a little more joy, a little more connection and a whole lot more books to our community”, added Dr. Alice M. Davis-Executive Director, Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center. “Southwestern Energy Company and its employees are excited to be a part of this community initiative” shared Mike Narcavage, Community Relations Manager.

One of the most successful ways to improve the reading achievement of children is to increase their access to books, especially at home (McGill-Franzen & Allington, 2009). But according to the U.S. Department of Education, up to 61% of low-income families do not have any books for their kids at home.

Little Free Libraries play an essential role by providing 24/7 access to books and encouraging a love of reading in areas where books are scarce.

Anyone may contribute or take books. You can donate a book(s) by simply placing them in the Little Free Library book exchange near you. If you take a free book (or two) from a Library, you do not need to return that exact book. However, in order to keep the Little Library full of good choices for the whole neighborhood, the next time you swing by the Library bring a few books to share. Little Free Library book exchanges function on the honor system; everyone contributes to ensure there are always quality books inside for both children and adults. This way, we all win!

In addition, informational pamphlets will be available to help connect the community to health and human service agencies serving Susquehanna County residents.

Special thanks are extended to the Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Instructor, Bruce Castelli and his students: Tom Martin, Brian Kozloski, Brian Traver, Alex Brown and Griffin Bunnell for their expert design and craftsmanship building each Little Free Library unit. Under Mr. Castelli’s leadership, the students are learning lifelong, valuable skills and have created a lasting community project for many, both young and old, to enjoy.

Additionally, the Boy Scouts have taken on the responsibility of stewardship for the units and the Scouts can earn community service hours towards rank advancement, says Adam Kovalchick, Acting Program Director.

Special thanks to Southwestern Energy Company employees, Timmy Jennings and Kurt Brunges for their help installing the unit.

Susquehanna County residents also have access to two other Little Free Libraries located at the Springville Fire Company (3866 St. Rte. 29, Springville, PA) and the Thompson Hose Company (53 Water St, Thompson, PA 18465).